Murray's Cheese throws coming-to-town bash

Murray's Cheese will celebrate its arrival in Louisville with a party at 21c Hotel Monday.

Murray's Cheese, New York City's "oldest and most beloved cheese shop," according to marketing director Deena Siegelbaum, recently opened cheese counters within some Kroger stores in Louisville.

To celebrate, it's throwing a welcome-to-Louisville party with Maker's Mark at 21c Museum Hotel, 700 W. Main St., on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the atrium gallery.

Besides selling cheese in New York City since 1940, Murray's can be found on menus across the country, from the French Laundry in California to Proof on Main. "We want to make cheese really approachable," says Siegelbaum. "To be able to go into a supermarket and have people really trained is the best way to teach customers about cheese."

Murray's offers some 175 cheeses at the Highlands and St. Matthews Kroger stores. Siegelbaum says it wants to introduce shoppers at Kroger to "mindblowingly amazing American cheeses."

"We're excited to be part of the local food scene," she says. "We've been visiting farmers markets and hope to bring in some local cheese."

The welcome party will feature cheese and bourbon pairings including Vermont's Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, two aged Goudas and an "even-better-than-brie Fromager d'Affinois that's great with the bubbly and cider cocktail," according to Siegelbaum. Proof will provide snacks. Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker's Mark and cheesemongers from Murray's will be on hand.